The Yosemite waterfalls figure among the most picturesque and dramatic waterfalls that you will find anywhere in the United States. They are especially amazing during the spring, as this season is when the most snowmelt occurs. By mid to late summer, many Yosemite waterfallsbecome a mere trickle or dry out completely. In the winter, the water levels in Yosemite National Park tend to be low, though it can still be rewarding to take in such waterfalls as Yosemite Falls, especially after snow or rain have fallen.

A variety of things combine to make Yosemite National Park so special. Among them are the park’s breathtaking granite cliffs, its dazzling Giant Sequoia groves, and its crystal clear streams. Spectacular waterfalls also claim their place among the park’s main features, and there are plenty to admire. Some are hundreds, even thousands of feet tall, with the highest of the high being Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Falls is actually the highest measured waterfall that you will find in North America. From the top of the upper falls section, or Upper Yosemite Fall, down to the bottom of Lower Yosemite Fall, the distance is 2,425 feet. Five smaller plunges that are known as the Middle Cascades link Upper Yosemite Fall to Lower Yosemite Fall. Access to the lower section is available near the Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite Village. The upper section can be reached via hiking trails that begin near the Camp 4 campground or by taking one of several routes that branch out from the State Route 120 portion that is known as Tioga Road. November through July is when Yosemite Falls tends to flow, with peak flow usually occurring in May.

California Map

Sentinel Fall and Bridalveil Fall are just two more examples of Yosemite waterfalls that many people hope to see during their California vacations. Sentinel Fall, or Sentinel Falls, as it is also known, is nearly 2,000 feet high and has multiple cascades that individually measure anywhere between 50 and 500 feet in height. You can find Sentinel Fall on the south side of the Yosemite Valley, and it usually flows from March through June, with May typically being the month for peak flow.

As for Bridalveil Fall, or Bridalveil Falls, it has a height of approximately 620 feet and flows all year long. Once again, May is typically when peak flow occurs. To get to beautiful Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite visitors can take Highway 41 from the Yosemite Valley. The exit to the parking area is just off Highway 41, and there is a paved trail that leads from said parking area to the base of the waterfall.